While Major League Baseball's announcement that it had suspended Melky Cabrera for 50 games for elevated levels of testosterone has more immediate impact on the Giants, who entered the day tied with the Dodgers atop the National League, the move could also have an effect on the Phillies' offseason decision making.

Cabrera will be a free agent after the season, and while he has spent 2012 as a corner outfielder, the majority of his time in the majors has been spent in center field, where the Phillies have a clear need. The Phillies kicked the tires on Cabrera before acquiring Hunter Pence last July, and he had done nothing since to lower his stock, hitting .346 with a .390 on base percentage, .516 slugging percentage and 11 home runs before the suspension.

A switch-hitter, Cabrera has eight home runs in 129 at-bats from the right side of the plate, where the Phillies are clearly in need of some power.